Headband for use with a head covering

ABSTRACT

A headband for use with a head covering which includes a length of fabric having a first hair engaging side with a pile direction substantially perpendicular to the length of fabric, the pile direction being substantially the same as the direction of a user&#39;s hair thereby lockingly engaging the user&#39;s hair, and a second head covering engaging side having a pile direction substantially perpendicular to the length of fabric and opposite to the pile direction of the first side thereby lockingly engaging the head covering.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a headband for use with a head covering and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Scarves, wigs, hats, bandanas, turbans, skull caps and other head coverings are commonly used by both males and females for religious or aesthetic reasons. These head coverings may also be used in cases where a person is losing their hair for any number of reasons such as old age, cancer treatment or in cases where a person simply desires a different look without the trouble and hassle of having to treat or style their natural hair. A common problem with head coverings is that the head covering is often difficult to secure to the head and/or natural hair with the result that head covering often moves unintentionally and requires constant adjustment by the user. One methods of attempting to secure head coverings involves the use of hair clips and combs however this method causes discomfort in the user and is time consuming.

It is an objection of the present invention in its preferred embodiment to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is disclosed a headband for use with a head covering, the headband including a length of fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band capable of snug fitting engagement around a user's head, the length of fabric having:

-   -   a first side that engages the user's hair, the first side having         a pile direction substantially perpendicular to the length of         fabric, the pile direction being substantially the same as the         direction of a user's hair thereby lockingly engaging the user's         hair; and     -   a second side that engages the head covering, the second side         having a pile direction substantially perpendicular to the         length of fabric and opposite to the pile direction of the first         side thereby locking engaging the head covering.

Preferably the length of the fabric is adjustable thereby adjusting the size of the band.

Preferably the first end and the second end include mutually re-engagable attachment means thereby allowing a user to adjust the length of the fabric thereby adjusting the size of the band. Preferably the mutually re-engagable attachment means is a Velcro type attachment means wherein the first end of the fabric has a hook side attached thereto and the second end of the fabric has a loop side attached thereto.

Preferably the length of fabric has a width and at least one securing rib extends along the width of the fabric. Preferably there are a plurality of securing ribs extending along the width of the fabric.

Preferably the width of the fabric is wider at substantially the middle of the length of fabric. Preferably the width of the fabric is narrower at substantially the first and second ends.

Preferably the length of fabric is formed by folding over an unstitched length of fabric and stitching the loose sides together.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is disclosed a headband for use with a head covering, the headband including a length of fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band capable of snug fitting engagement around a user's head, the length of fabric having:

-   -   a first side that engages the user's hair, the first side having         a pile direction substantially the same as the direction of a         user's hair thereby lockingly engaging the user's hair; and     -   a second side that engages the head covering, the second side         having a pile direction opposite to the pile direction of the         first side thereby locking engaging the head covering.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a headband to secure a head covering to a user's head having hair, the method including the steps of:

-   -   providing a headband including a length of fabric and having a         first end and a second end, the first end and the second end         being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a         band capable of snug fitting engagement around the user's head;     -   providing the length of fabric with a first side that engages         the user's hair, the first side having a pile direction         substantially the same as the direction of a user's hair thereby         lockingly engaging the user's hair; and     -   providing the length of fabric with a second side that engages         the head covering, the second side having a pile direction         opposite to the pile direction of the first side thereby locking         engaging the head covering.

According to a forth aspect of the invention there is disclosed a headband for use with a head covering, the headband including a length of fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band capable of snug fitting engagement around a user's head, the length of fabric having:

-   -   a first side that engages the user's head, the first side having         a substantially uniform pile direction thereby lockingly         engaging the user's head; and     -   a second side that engages the head covering, the second side         having a pile direction substantially opposite to the pile         direction of the first side thereby locking engaging the head         covering.

Preferably the first side has a substantially uniform pile direction that extends upwards towards the top of the user's head.

Preferably the user's head had hair and the first side lockingly engages the user's hair.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is disclosed a headband for use with a head covering, the headband adapted for snug fitting engagement around a user's head, the headband having:

-   -   a first side that engages the user's head, the first side having         a substantially uniform pile direction thereby lockingly         engaging the user's scalp; and     -   a second side that engages the head covering, the second side         having a pile direction substantially opposite to the pile         direction of the first side thereby locking engaging the head         covering.

Preferably the first side has a substantially uniform pile direction that extends upwards towards the top of the user's head.

Preferably the user's head had hair and the first side lockingly engages the user's hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a headband for use with a head covering according to the invention;

FIG. 1 a is a bottom view of the headband of FIG. 1 according to the invention;

FIG. 2 a is a side view of a user preparing to use a headband according to the invention;

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the user of FIG. 2 a holding a headband according to the invention;

FIG. 2 c is a side view of the user of FIG. 2 a wearing a headband according to the invention;

FIG. 2 d is a side view of the user of FIG. 2 a wearing a head covering over a headband according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view and a bottom view of a headband for use with a head covering according to the invention;

FIG. 4 a is a view of an unstitched headband according to the invention;

FIG. 4 b is a view of the headband of FIG. 4 a stitched together;

FIG. 5 is a view of a section of a headband according to the invention shown securing a head covering to a user's head and hair; and

FIG. 6 is a view of a section of a headband according to the invention shown securing a head covering to a user's head with no hair.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the FIG. 1 there is shown a headband 101 for use with a head covering. The headband includes a length of fabric in this embodiment velvet 102 having a first end 103 and a second end 104. The first end 103 and the second end 104 are capable of being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band 201 capable of snug fitting engagement around a user's head 202. The velvet fabric 102 has a first side 105 that engages the user's hair 203.

As would be understood, the pile of a material is the raised surface which is made up of upright loops or strands of yarn. Any suitable pile textile or material can be used in embodiment of the invention however velvet having a pile that extends substantially in a uniform direction is preferred. Other examples of suitable pile textile include corduroy, velour, velveteen and plush, however any suitable material can be used and the invention is not limited to those mentioned herein. It would also be understood that the headband need not include a Velcro or other adjustment means and it can simply be manufactured to a predetermine size with headbands of many sizes being available to the user.

The first side 105 has a pile direction 106 substantially perpendicular to the length of fabric, the pile direction being substantially the same as the direction of a user's hair, the hair being brushed or pulled back towards the back of the user's head, thereby lockingly engaging the user's hair.

A second side 107 engages the head covering, the second side and has a pile direction 108 substantially perpendicular to the length of fabric and opposite to the pile direction of the first side 106 thereby locking engaging the head covering.

As would be understood, the pile 109 that covers the first side 105 having direction 106 substantially prevents the headband from moving once placed on a user's head. The pile direction engages and locks with the user's hair thereby securing the head band on the user's head. The pile 110 that covers the second side 107 prevents the head covering from moving once it is placed over the user's hair and engages the headband. It would be understood that in users without hair, the headband securely engages the user's head or scalp. As such embodiments of the invention can be used by user's who have no hair, user's who are losing their hair and user's who have hair. That is, the uniform direction of the pile securely engages the headband against a user's head with or without hair. The headband is secured using a user's hair (if present) or using a user's scalp/head if no hair is present.

The length of the fabric is adjustable to allow the user to adjust the size of the band in accordance with the size of their head and in accordance with the comfort they feel. In order to provide the ability to adjust the length/size of the band, the first end and the second end include mutually re-engagable attachment means. It is preferred that the mutually re-engagable attachment means is a Velcro type attachment means wherein the first end 103 of the fabric has a hook side 111 attached thereto on side 105 and the second end 104 of the fabric has a loop side 112 attached thereto on side 107. The hook side 111 and the loop side 112 can be engaged by the user as required in accordance with the required band size. It would be understood that having the attachments on opposite sides of the length of Velcro allows the Velcro to be engaged without having to create a twist in the band.

To provide additional strength to the headband and to prevent it from rolling and moving in use, the length of fabric has securing ribs 113 that extend across the width of the fabric at intervals along its length. In the preferred embodiment the ribs are formed by a line of stitching that extends across the width of the band. In other embodiment plastics material or other forms of ribs can be sewn into the band.

As shown in FIG. 3, some preferred embodiments are such that the width of the fabric is wider at substantially the middle 301 of the length of fabric. In these embodiments the width of the fabric is narrower at substantially the first and second ends 302 and 303.

In the preferred embodiment the length of fabric is formed by folding over an unstitched length of fabric and stitching the loose sides together. This is shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b where the length of unstitched fabric 400 is folded along centre line 401 and sides 402 and 403 are sewn together along line 404.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a section of a headband 501 securing a head covering 502 to a user's head 503 and hair 504. It can be seen that the grain or pile of the velvet runs in substantially one direction on each of the sides 505 and 506 of the velvet fabric 507. As the grain or piles runs in only direction this causes a sticking effect that allows the sides to securely attach to many other surfaces. The pile on side 506 runs back in the same direction as the user's hair which causes a gripping effect on the hair or in the case of a user with no hair, the head or scalp. The pile on side 505 runs in an opposite direction to that of side 506 and causes a gripping effect in that direction and secures the head covering in place.

In use, a user prepares their hair by brushing it back and, if long, tying it in a bun or pony tail as shown in FIG. 2 a. The headband is then taken in the user's hands and positioned correctly above their head as shown in FIG. 2 b. Once positioned correctly, the headband is secured in place on the head as shown in FIG. 2 c and can be adjusted using the Velcro attachment means if required. As shown in FIG. 2 d, the head covering, in this case a scarf, can then be placed over the user's head and on top of the headband. The headband keeps the scarf or any other head covering secure on the users head and substantially prevents the head covering from slipping up or down.

Another embodiment of the invention is adapted to work with a user or person that is losing or has lost their hair. In that embodiment the headband is similarly used with a head covering however the headband securely engages the user's head (i.e. scalp). The headband includes a length of fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band capable of snug fitting engagement around a user's head. The length of fabric has a first side that engages the user's head. The first side has a substantially uniform pile direction thereby lockingly engaging the user's head. In this embodiment the pile direction is upwards towards the top of the user's head. A second side engages the head covering and the second side has a pile direction substantially opposite to the pile direction of the first side thereby locking engaging the head covering.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown an embodiment where the headband is used to secure a head covering to a user's head, the user having no hair. The pile 601 that covers the first side 602 having a uniform direction towards the top of the user's head substantially prevents the headband from moving once placed on a user's head. The pile direction engages and locks with the user's scalp thereby securing the head band on the user's head. The pile 603 that covers the second side 604 prevents the head covering from moving once it is placed over the user's head and engages the headband.

According to another preferred embodiment, a headband for use with a head covering is adapted for snug fitting engagement around a user's head. The headband has a first side that engages the user's head. The first side has a substantially uniform pile direction thereby lockingly engaging the user's scalp. A second side that engage the head covering, the second side having a pile direction substantially opposite to the pile direction of the first side thereby locking engaging the head covering.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 

1. A headband for use with a head covering, the headband including a length of fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band capable of snug fitting engagement around a user's head, the length of fabric comprising: a first side that engages the user's hair, the first side having a pile direction substantially perpendicular to the length of fabric, the pile direction being substantially the same as the direction of a user's hair thereby lockingly engaging the user's hair; and a second side that engages the head covering, the second side having a pile direction substantially perpendicular to the length of fabric and opposite to the pile direction of the first side thereby locking engaging the head covering.
 2. The headband according to claim 1 wherein the length of the fabric is adjustable thereby adjusting the size of the band.
 3. The headband according to claim 2 wherein the first end and the second end include mutually re-engagable attachment means thereby allowing a user to adjust the length of the fabric thereby adjusting the size of the band.
 4. The headband according to claim 3 wherein the mutually re-engagable attachment means is a Velcro type attachment means wherein the first end of the fabric has a hook side attached thereto and the second end of the fabric has a loop side attached thereto.
 5. The headband according to claim 4 wherein the length of fabric has a width and at least one securing rib extends along the width of the fabric.
 6. The headband according to claim 5 wherein there are a plurality of securing ribs extending along the width of the fabric.
 7. The headband according to claim 6 wherein the width of the fabric is wider at substantially the middle of the length of fabric.
 8. The headband according to claim 7 wherein the width of the fabric is narrower at substantially the first and second ends.
 9. The headband according to claim 8 wherein the length of fabric is formed by folding over an unstitched length of fabric and stitching the loose sides together.
 10. A headband for use with a head covering, the headband including a length of fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band capable of snug fitting engagement around a user's head, the length of fabric comprising: a first side that engages the user's hair, the first side having a pile direction substantially the same as the direction of a user's hair thereby lockingly engaging the user's hair; and a second side that engages the head covering, the second side having a pile direction opposite to the pile direction of the first side thereby locking engaging the head covering.
 11. A headband for use with a head covering, the headband adapted for snug fitting engagement around a user's head, the headband comprising: a first side that engages the user's head, the first side having a substantially uniform pile direction thereby lockingly engaging the user's scalp; and a second side that engages the head covering, the second side having a pile direction substantially opposite to the pile direction of the first side thereby locking engaging the head covering.
 12. The headband according to claim 11 wherein the headband includes a length of fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being secured to one another such that length of fabric forms a band that engages the user's head.
 13. The headband according to claim 12 wherein the first side has a substantially uniform pile direction that extends upwards towards the top of the user's head.
 14. The headband according to claim 13 where in the user's head has hair and the first side lockingly engages the user's hair. 